The Campolina horse is a breed that originated in Brazil and is known for its gentle temperament and versatile abilities.
This breed has been used for everything from agriculture to dressage, making it a popular choice for many owners.
If you are considering adding a Campolina horse to your barn, here is everything you need to know about the breed.
Campolina Horse Breed Info
Here are some of the key things you need to know about the Campolina:
| Height (size) | 15 to 16 hands high high |
| Colors | They can be almost any color and even “Pampa” or pinto. Primitive markings are common in dun Campolinas, and they often include a dorsal stripe, shoulder stripe, pale “guard hairs” on the sides of the mane, and zebra stripes on the legs. |
| Country of Origin | Brazil |
| Common Uses | Ranch work, pleasure and trail riding, dressage, driving |
Campolina Facts & Information (Breed Profile)
The Campolina horse breed got its name after the Brazilian farmer who developed it – Cassiano Campolina.
In 1870, he received a black mare with Barb ancestry named Medéia from a friend, which he then bred to an Andalusian stallion.
The resultant offspring, a gray colt called Monarca, is regarded as the Campolina breed’s founding stallion.
Cassiano Campolina was determined to produce a versatile riding horse with great ‘brio’ – (a trait that can be translated as ‘willing energy’), and smooth gaits.
For the next 25 years he crossed Monarca’s bloodlines with those of the Clydesdale, Holsteiner, Anglo-Norman, American Saddlebred and Mangalarga Marchador.
The studbook was closed in the 1930s once the breed standard was established.
There are now over 7,300 registered Campolina breeders and an estimated 85,000 registered Campolina horses, proving that Cassiano Campolina wasn’t the only person who recognized the value of his special equines.
If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating breed, keep reading!
Alternative Names
n/a
Temperament/Personality
Easy to train with good temperament
Physical Characteristics
Its physique is lean yet well balanced, showing its baroque heritage.
The head has a distinctive, pronounced convex profile, with the curve starting between the horse’s eyes rather than near the ears.
The ears tend to be quite long, and that is often emphasized by clipping a long bridle path.
The neck is arched, and withers are well-developed.
The chest is muscular, and the back is medium length.
They have a very smooth four-beat ambling gait called the ‘true marcha’ (marcha verdadeira) that enables them to cover long distances with great efficiency.
They possess great stamina. It is the largest of the three Brazilian gaited horse breeds.
Colors
They can be almost any color and even “Pampa” or pinto.
Silver-gray is favored as it is seen as a throwback to the foundation stallion, Monarca.
Primitive markings are common in dun Campolinas, and they often include a dorsal stripe, shoulder stripe, pale “guard hairs” on the sides of the mane, and zebra stripes on the legs.
Height (size)
15.0 – 16.0 hands high
Stallions
Average 15.2 hh
Mares
Average 15.0 hh
Weight
n/a
Blood Type
Warm
Common Uses
Ranch work, pleasure and trail riding, dressage, driving
Health
n/a
Popular Traits
It can perform a gait called ‘marcha verdadeira’
Feeding/Diet
n/a
Country of Origin
Brazil
Ancestors
Barb, Andalusian, and later Clydesdale, Holsteiner, Anglo-Norman, American Saddlebred and Mangalarga Marchador